This thesis is concerned with the study of cosmic strings. We studied the values for the Higgs mass and string coupling for which the gravitational effect of an infinite cosmic string in the context of the Einstein theory is not only locally but also globally weak. We conclude this happens for strings formed at scales less or equal to the Planck one with Higgs mass being less or equal to the boson vectorial mass. Then we examined the metric of an isolated self-gravitating abelian-Higgs vortex in dilatonic gravity for arbitrary coupling of the vortex fields to the dilaton. We looked for solutions in both massless and massive dilaton gravity. We compared our results to existing metrics for strings in Einstein and .Jordan-Brans-Dicke theories. We explored the generalisation of Bogomolnyi arguments for our vortices and commented on the effects on test particles. We then included the presence of an axion field and examined the metric of an isolated self-gravitating axionic-dilatonic string. Finally we studied dilatonic strings through black hole solutions in string theory. We concluded that the horizon of non-extreme charged black holes supports the long-range fields of the Nielsen-Olesen string that can be considered as black hole hair and whose gravitational effect is in general the production of a conical deficit into the metric of the black hole background. We also concluded that the effect of the dilaton on the horizon of these black holes is to generate an additional charge.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-12T20:15:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 A-inicio.pdf: 106467 bytes, checksum: 8ecfda3cfa81a009fae7a31b2dea68e8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-10-31 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In this Dissertation we study the scattering of massless monochromatic scalar waves by 5-dimensional (5D) Schwarzschild-Tangherlini black holes. We compute the scattering phase shifts using Prüfer method for high frequencies and high-values of the angular multipole index l. The phase shifts are then used to analyze the glory effect, in comparison with the respective 4D values. In the case of low frequencies th total absorption is completely absent in some cases. The oscillatory behavior of the phase shift for large values of l, typical in the 4D case, now becomes absent. For high frequencies, the total absorption starts at much lower values of l, compared to the 4D case. / Nesta Dissertação estudamos o espalhamento de ondas escalares monocromáticas sem massa por buracos negros de Schwarzschild-Tangherlini em 5 dimensões (5D). Computamos os desvios de fase usando o método de Prüfer para altas freqüências e altos valores do índice de multipolo l. Os desvios de fase são para análise do efeito glória, comparando com os respectivos valores resultantes do caso do espalhamento em 4D. Para baixas freqüências a absorção total em 5D é, em alguns casos, totalmente ausente para l + 0. O comportamento oscilatório do desvio de fase para grandes valores de l, típico em 4D, agora desaparece. Para altas freqüências a absorção total em 5D começa para valores de l muito menores que aqueles respectivos ao caso 4D.

Submitted by Emanuel Varela Cardoso (emanuel.varela@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-10-18T18:35:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 LUIZ CORDEIRO DE LIMA NETO – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGFísica) 2013.pdf: 963611 bytes, checksum: 83952da12a3c82dcd16e85616b111271 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-18T18:35:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LUIZ CORDEIRO DE LIMA NETO – DISSERTAÇÃO (PPGFísica) 2013.pdf: 963611 bytes, checksum: 83952da12a3c82dcd16e85616b111271 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-26 / Capes / Este trabalho apresenta elementos complementares da formação no nível de mestrado em Física. Discutimos, principalmente, aspectos de Relatividade Geral e Teoria Quân- tica de Campos. Deforma detalhada, explanamos a obtenção das soluções de Reissner- Nordström para as equações de Einstein que mostram a dependência dos buracos negros carregados da sua massa e da sua carga. Analisamos, também, os casos onde a massa difere numericamente da carga conhecidos como casos não-extremos, e os casos onde estas grandezas são equivalentes conhecidos como extremos. Discutimos, também, as leis da mecânica dos buracos negros e a inevitável comparação com as leis usuais da Termodinâmica e, conforme foi demonstrado por Hawking, que essas semelhanças são um fenômeno físico explicado pela a mecânica quântica. Ao rever estes estudos, Unruh percebeu que um observador acelerado em um espaço plano mede radiação térmica. Os estudos apresentados nesta dissertação constituem o embasamento necessário para o trabalho em inúmeras áreas de desenvolvimento da Física na atualidade, visto que os buracos negros carregados (em dimensões extras) possuem uma ligação com a teoria das cordas, uma das teorias mais promissoras para a construção da teoria quântica da gravitação. / This work presents complementary elements of training at the master’s degree level in Physics. We discussed, mainly, aspects of General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory. In details we expounded the obtaining of Reissner-Nordström’s solutions for Einstein’s equations that show the dependence of charged black holes on their massand charge. We also the cases in which the mass differs numerically from charge, known as non- extreme cases, and cases where the sequantities are equivalent, known as extreme. We also discuss the laws of mechanics of black holes and thein evitable comparison with the usual law softhermo dynamics and still, as demonstrated by Hawking, that the se similarities are physical phenomena explained by Quantum Mechanics. By reviewing thes estudies, Unruh realized that an accelerated observerina flat space me asures thermal radiation. The studies presented in this dissertation formed the necessary principles for research in several are as of development of physics now a days, where as the charged black holes (in extradimensions) are connected with the String Theory, one of the most promising theories for construction of the Quantum Theory of Gravitation.

We will consider the scenario of the co-rotation of a fluid star (in specific, a neutron star) and a black hole. The neutron star (or primary)is assumed to have constant angular velocity. The tidal effects on the primary are investigated. First, the centrally condensed approximation is applied, where both bodies are considered as point sources. In the second treatment, the primary is treated as an incompressible and homogeneous fluid mass, which in addition to its own gravity is subject to centrifugal and Coriolis forces, derived from fluid motions. The black hole (or secondary) is treated as a rigid sphere and can be regarded as a point mass. The equilibrium figure is derived. The problem is then adapted to include vorticity and a pseudo-Newtonian potential. The coalescence of neutron star - black hole binaries and their importance to gravitational wave detection is also discussed. / Mathematical Sciences / M. Sc. (Applied Mathematics)

In recent years, advances in deep optical, and especially deep near-infrared imaging with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and wide-field ground-based telescopes such as VISTA, have revolutionized our understanding of the cosmological evolution of galaxies and supermassive black-holes (as manifest through active galactic nuclei; AGN). In particular, the dynamic range provided by the survey `wedding cake' of available HST+ground-based optical/IR data offers new opportunities to push the meaningful statistical study of galaxy and AGN evolution out to high redshifts. Much recent attention has focused, unsurprisingly, on using these new data to push studies of galaxy formation back to within a billion years of the Big Bang, and exploring the role of young galaxies in driving cosmic hydrogen reionization during the crucial era corresponding to redshifts z ≃ 6-10. However, these data have not been as thoroughly exploited at intermediate redshifts, and have only recently been used to explore black-hole/AGN evolution. In this thesis I utilise the latest deep optical/near-infrared imaging and spectroscopy to explore three key facets of cosmological evolution. First, I present a new, robust measurement of the evolving rest-frame ultraviolet (UV) galaxy luminosity function (LF) over the key redshift range from z ≃ 2 to z ≃ 4. My results are based on the high dynamic range provided by combining the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), CANDELS/GOODS-South, and UltraVISTA/COSMOS surveys. I utilise the unparalleled multi-frequency photometry available in this survey `wedding cake' to compile complete galaxy samples at z ≃ 2; 3; 4 via photometric redshifts (calibrated against the latest spectroscopy). This study is important as the peak of star-formation is shown to happen within a redshift range z = 2 - 4 and determining the exact epoch that the galaxies were forming most of their stars depends significantly on the UV luminosity density which requires robust measurements of the galaxy UV luminosity function and its accurate parameterization. My new determinations of the UV LF extend from M1500 ≃ -22 (AB mag) down to M1500 =-14.5, -15.5 and -16 at z ≃2, 3 and 4 respectively (thus reaching ≃ 3-4 magnitudes fainter than previous blank-field studies at z ≃ 2 - 3). At z ≃ 2 - 3 I find a much shallower faint-end slope (α = -1:32 ± 0:03) than the steeper values (α ≃ -1:7) reported in the literature, and show that this new measurement is robust. By z ≃ 4 the faint-end slope has steepened slightly, to α = -1:43 ± 0:04, and I show that these measurements are consistent with the overall evolutionary trend from z = 0 to z = 8. I then calculate the UV luminosity density (and hence unobscured star-formation density) and show that it peaks at z ≃ 2:5 - 3, when the Universe was ≃ 2:5 Gyr old. Second, I have used these data to revisit the possibility that X-ray AGN played a significant role in cosmic hydrogen reionization which is one of the major processes in the formation of the Universe we see today. Hence, it is really important to understand this phenomenon thoroughly by studying the properties of sources capable of ionising photons, such as star-forming galaxies and high redshift AGNs. Although most recent studies have suggested that the emerging population of young star-forming galaxies can bathe the Universe in sufficient high-energy photons to complete reionization by z ≃ 6, some authors have reasserted the potentially important role of high-redshift AGN in the hydrogen reionization process. In an effort to clarify this situation, I reinvestigate a claimed sample of 22 X-ray detected active galactic nuclei (AGN) at redshifts z > 4, which has reignited the debate as to whether young galaxies or AGN reionized the Universe. These sources lie within the GOODS-S/CANDELS field, and I examine both the robustness of the claimed X-ray detections (within the Chandra 4Ms imaging) and perform an independent analysis of the photometric redshifts of the optical/infrared counterparts. I confirm the reality of only 15 of the 22 reported X-ray detections, and moreover find that only 12 of the 22 optical/infrared counterpart galaxies actually lie robustly at z > 4. I recalculate the evolving far-UV (1500Å) luminosity density produced by AGN at high redshift, and find that it declines rapidly from z ≃ 4 to z ≃ 6, in agreement with several other recent studies of the evolving AGN luminosity function. The associated rapid decline in inferred hydrogen-ionizing emissivity contributed by AGN falls an order-of-magnitude short of the level required to maintain hydrogen ionization at z ≃ 6. I conclude that AGNs make a very minor contribution to cosmic hydrogen reionization. Finally, I have utilized the deep optical/near-infrared survey data to explore the prevalence of quenched/passive galaxies at high redshift. Applying a robust method to isolate passive galaxies from star-forming galaxies is the key to improving our understanding of the quenching process. Focusing primarily on the deep HUDF data-set, I have revisited the effectiveness of simple colour-colour (UVJ) selection techniques in isolating robust samples of quenched galaxies, and find that dust plays a more important role in this selection process than has been previously appreciated. Through careful SED fitting I successfully isolate a sample of apparently dust-free quiescent galaxies in the redshift range 0:5 < z < 4:5 but (at least in the HUDF) fail to find any galaxy which has remained truly quiescent for > 1 Gyr. I conclude by focusing on the properties of a refined/robust sample of apparently quenched galaxies at z > 3, and in particular establishing the contribution of quenched galaxies to stellar-mass density at early times. I conclude with a summary of my findings, and a brief discussion of the most promising avenues for future advances with the next generation of facilities, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The fuzzball model of a black hole is an attempt to resolve the many paradoxes and puzzles of black hole physics that have revealed themselves over the last century. These badly behaved solutions of general relativity have given physicists one of the few laboratories to test candidate quantum theories of gravity. Though little is known about exactly what lies beyond the event horizon, and what the ultimate fate of matter that falls in to a black hole is, we know a few intriguing and elegant semi-classical results that have kept physicists occupied. Among these are the known black hole entropy and the Hawking radiation process.

It is now widely known that most of the large galaxies we observe (e.g. the Milky Way) host in their center a supermassive black hole ($10^{6}-10^{9}$ $M_\odot$). Several relationships between the central black hole mass and the properties of the stars in the central part of the galaxy have been established in the past 3 decades indicating that the central black hole is able to efficiently structure the matter around it due to episodes of accretion of matter onto the black hole. Recent infrared and optical sky surveys have detected supermassive black holes with masses around $10^{8-9}$ $M_\odot$ when the universe was less than a tenth of its current age and current theories have difficulties explaining how such massive objects could have formed over such short timescales. The goal of the present work is to shed light on the properties of a still largely unknown extreme accretion regime, the so called super-Eddington accretion regime. If such accretion regime could be sustained over sufficient timescales, it could play an important role in both the rapid growth of supermassive black holes as well as its co-evolution with its host galaxy. The aim of this work is therefore to apply high resolution spectroscopy to Ultraluminous X-ray sources in order to identify narrow spectral features to derive constrains on the outflows expected from super-Eddington accreting sources using data from the XMM-Newton observatory. For this purpose I developed a framework to analyse low count background dominated spectra that uses a Monte Carlo approach to detect these narrow features. After analysis of the source Holmberg II X-1, I identify 7 unresolved discrete features with a 3$\sigma$ confidence level that can be tentatively identified with ionic species. Furthermore, the instrumental resolution allows us to put upper limits on the broadening of the lines. This findings will allow us to probe the properties of the outflows of the super-Eddington regime and by extending the analysis to other sources we will able to characterize the observational properties of this accretion regime.

Neste trabalho aplicamos métodos espectrais para a determinação da configuração inicial de três espaços-tempos contendo buracos negros. Para isto apresentamos primeiro a foliação do espaço-tempo em hipersuperfícies tridimensionais espaciais parametrizadas pela função temporal t. Este processo é chamado de decomposição 3+1 [2] [5]. O resultado deste processo são dois conjuntos de equações classificadas em equações de vínculo e evolução [4]. As equações de vínculo podem ser divididas em vínculos Hamiltoniano e dos momentos. Para a obtenção dos dados iniciais dos problemas estudados aqui, apenas a equação de vínculo Hamiltoniano será resolvida numericamente, pois as equações de vínculo dos momentos possuem solução analítica nestes casos. Uma pequena descrição dos métodos espectrais é apresentada, destacando-se os método de Galerkin, método pseudoespectral ou de colocação e método de Tau, que são empregados na resolução das equações de vínculo Hamiltoniano dos problemas estudados. Verificamos que os resultados obtidos neste trabalho superam aqueles produzidos por Kidder e Finn [15], devido a uma escolha diferente das funções de base, que aqui satisfazem uma das condições de contorno. / In this work we apply spectral methods for determining the initial configuration of three spacetimes containing black holes. For this we present first the foliation of spacetime into three-dimensional spacelike hypersurfaces parameterized by the time function t. This process is called 3 + 1 decomposition [2] [5]. The result of this process are two sets of equations classified into constraint and evolution equations [4]. The constraint equations can be divided into Hamiltonian and momentum constraints.To obtain the initial data of the problems studied here, only the Hamiltonian constraint is solved numerically, since the momentum constraint of these cases have analytical solution. A short description of spectral methods is presented, highlighting Galerkin method, pseudospectral or collocation method and Tau method, which are employed in solving the constraint equations Hamiltonian of the problems studied. We found that the results obtained in this work outperform those produced by Kidder and Finn [15], due to a different choice of basis functions, which meet here one of the boundary conditions.

Submitted by Claudinei Pracidelli (cpracide@ipen.br) on 2015-06-09T18:28:55Z No. of bitstreams: 0 / Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-09T18:28:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 / Dissertação (Mestrado em Tecnologia Nuclear) / IPEN/D / Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares - IPEN-CNEN/SP

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:53:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 442800 bytes, checksum: 976975bef3a9982c455505f10840bbdb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / In the south of the Espírito Santo State, Brazil, the wastewater generated in the coffee grain processing (CGPW) is disposed by the farmers in dumping holes in the soil. This practice has the advantages of the requirement of small areas, the low costs, and the feasibility of construction, operation and management. However, it has to be appropriately executed in order to avoid the contamination of the underground water and the occurrence of changes in the soil chemical and physical characteristics. It was made the characterization of the disposed CGPW and determined the chemical and physical characteristics in soil samples collected near the dumping holes used for CGPW disposal in counties from the Espírito Santo State. The samples were collected at distances up to 5 in the lateral of the hole, at different depths and in the bottom of the dumping hole. The disposed CGPW presented salinity, acid pH, high concentration of total solids and high organic content, with the element N being the most concentrated. The exchangeable K increased in almost all soil samples collected in the lateral positions. This caused a higher electrical conductivity in the saturation extract, a higher percentage of dispersed clay in the soil, mainly in the samples closer to the dumping hole, a decrease in the potential acidity, and changes in the pH of some samples. The soil exchangeable Ca and Mg also increased in the samples closer to the dumping holes with increase of the sum of bases and index of base saturation. The available P decreased in the samples more distant from to the dumping holes. There was no detection of Na in the samples and no variation of exchangeable Al concentration, but the Al saturation index decreased closer to the dumping hole. The cation exchangeable capacity (CEC), at pH 7, decreased in most of the samples whereas the effective CEC increased in the samples closer to the dumping holes. The organic matter content and the remaining P increased in some samples located at 50 cm from the dumping holes. In the soil samples collected at the bottom of the holes, the pH, the Mg concentration, the sum of bases and índex of base saturation decreased whereas the electrical conductivity, clay disperse in water, organic matter content, moisture equivalent, potential acidity, Al saturation and CEC, at pH 7, increased. There was increase also in the available P, remaining P, and exchangeable Ca and Al. The exchangeable K and the effective CEC did not show variation in the samples collected in different depths at the bottom of the hole. / No sul do Estado do Espírito Santo, a técnica de disposição da água residuária do descascamento/despolpa dos frutos do cafeeiro (ARC) em valas de infiltração/percolação é muito utilizada por produtores, por necessitar de pequenas áreas para se efetuar a disposição da ARC, ser de baixo custo e fácil implantação, operação e manutenção. No entanto, se esta técnica for realizada de forma inadequada, poderá causar contaminação do lençol subterrâneo e alterações nas características químicas e físicas do solo. Em razão disso, foi realizada a caracterização da ARC disposta em valas, sendo avaliadas também as características químicas e físicas do solo de amostras coletadas na área de influência de valas utilizadas para disposição da ARC, em municípios do sul do Estado do Espírito Santo. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em até 5 m de distância lateral das valas, em diferentes profundidades e no fundo das mesmas. Observou- se que a ARC disposta nas valas apresentou salinidade, pH ácido, grande concentração de sólidos totais e elevada carga orgânica, sendo o N o elemento químico em maior concentração. O K trocável aumentou em praticamente todas as amostras de solo coletadas nas posições laterais às valas, proporcionando aumento da condutividade elétrica do extrato de saturação (CE) e da argila dispersa em água do solo (ADA), notadamente nas amostras coletadas mais proximamente às valas. Além disso, proporcionou diminuição na acidez potencial, em todas as amostras de solo analisadas e, ainda, influenciou os valores do pH, em algumas amostras. As concentrações de Ca e Mg trocáveis também aumentaram em amostras mais próximas às valas, devido à presença destes elementos químicos na ARC, o que proporcionou, na maioria das amostras de solo analisadas, aumento no valor da soma de bases (SB) e na saturação por bases (V). Em amostras de solo coletadas a maiores distâncias das valas, houve diminuição nas concentrações de P disponível. Não foi detectada a presença de Na e as concentrações de Al trocável não foram alteradas nas amostras, independente da posição de coleta, entretanto a saturação por Al diminuiu em amostras coletadas mais proximamente às valas. A capacidade de troca catiônica potencial (CTC a pH 7) diminuiu na grande maioria das amostras de solo e a CTC efetiva aumentou em amostras coletadas mais proximamente das valas. O conteúdo de matéria orgânica (MO) e a concentração de P-remanescente aumentaram em algumas amostras localizadas a 50 cm das valas. Nas amostras coletadas no perfil de solo a partir do fundo das valas, o pH, a concentração de Mg, a SB e V diminuíram, enquanto a CE, a ADA, o equivalente de umidade (EU), a acidez potencial, a saturação por Al, a CTC a pH 7, o conteúdo de matéria orgânica e as concentrações de P disponível, P- remanescente, Ca e Al trocáveis aumentaram. A concentração de K trocável e a CTC efetiva permaneceram praticamente constantes ao longo do perfil de solo amostrado a partir do fundo da vala.